InfrastructurePlanning for Nationally Significant

Projects and Development Consent Orders

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1. Introduction

The Planning Act 2008 sets out the regime for dealing with Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

Following lengthy planning inquires for such projects, in particular the one for Terminal 5 at Heathrow, the Government is seeking to substantially reduce the time taken to obtain consent to major projects in the fields of energy, transport, water, waste and waste water.

Under the Planning Act 2008, the system is based around the preparation of policy documents for England setting out the need case for major infrastructure. The National Infrastructure Directorate at the Planning Inspectorate make recommendations to the Secretary of State who then determines the application.

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2. Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects

The Planning Act 2008 introduced a new system for consenting major infrastructure, known as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), in England and (where policy remains un-devolved) in Wales.

There are three main elements to the new procedures for NSIPs:

• The designation of National Policy Statements (NPSs), which set out national policy for specified descriptions of development;

• The creation of the National Infrastructure Directorate (NID) which is at the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is the examining authority for NSIPs; and

• The creation of Development Consent Orders (DCOs) to authorise NSIPs, replacing the previous variety of consents required for NSIPs.

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The current publication status of the NPSs is set out in Table 3.1.

3. National Policy Statements

A series of National Policy Statements (NPSs) have been introduced in order to provide a clear strategic policy framework for decision making on nationally significant infrastructure. The guidance sets out the principles behind the need for each type of NSIP.

The statements are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, public consultation and Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS) including, where appropriate, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The Act specifies that National Policy Statements can include:

• The amount, type or size of the specified development appropriate nationally or for a specified area;

• Criteria to be applied in deciding suitable locations;

• The relative weight to be given to specified criteria;

• The identification of ‘strategically suitable’ sites for location-specific NPSs for aviation and nuclear power;

• The appropriate statutory undertaker to carry out specified development; and

• Mitigation measures which should be applied to a specificied development.

The majority of the NPSs are non-location specific. However, along with the general principles, the nuclear NPS sets out the strategically acceptable locations for these proposed types of national infrastructure. It is anticipated that the airports NPS will also be location specific. The NPSs provide the overall framework within which decisions on NSIPs are made.

National Policy Statements Designation DateAnticipated Designation

Overarching Energy 19th July 2011

Renewables 19th July 2011

Fossil Fuel 19th July 2011

Electricity Networks (i.e. power lines etc)

19th July 2011

Oil and Gas Infrastructure (e.g. pipelines and storage)

19th July 2011

Nuclear Power 19th July 2011

Ports 26th January 2012

National Networks (i.e. strategic roads and railways, including strategic rail freight interchanges)

17th December 2014

Airports TBC 2016

Waste Water (e.g. sewage treatment)

9th February 2012

Water Supply (e.g. reservoirs) TBC

Hazardous Waste (e.g. high temperature incineration)

6th June 2013

Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges 29th November 2011

Table 3.1 – Current NPS Status

Energy

Application to Conditions Thresholds

Generating station (E/W)

Construction or extension onshore More than 50MW

Construction or extension offshore (in territorial sea or Renewable Energy Zone (REZ))

More than 100MW

Electric line (E/W) Installation above groundNew lines at least 132kv, outside premises in the occupation or control of the installer, and greater than 2km in length.

Underground gas storage (E/W)

Operations to create or alter facilities in cavities or porous strata; or starting to use such facilities in England

At least 43m m³ capacity or a maximum flow rate of at least 4.5m m³ per dayStarting to use natural porous strata in Wales by a gas transporter

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility (E)

Construction or alteration for the reception of LNG from outside England, its storage and re-gasification

At least 43m m³ storage capacity or a maximum flow rate of at least 4.5m m³ per day

Gas reception facility (E)Construction or alteration where facility is in England and the gas originates and arrives from outside Great Britain

A maximum flow rate of at least 4.5m m³ per day

Gas transporterpipelines (E)

Construction of a pipeline by a gas transporter wholly or partly in England. Pipeline is more than 800mm in diameter. Diameter and more than 40km in length or likely to have a significant effect on the environment. Must have a design operating pressure of more than 7 bar gauge. Must convey gas to minimum of 50,000 customers.

4. DCO Thresholds

Thresholds have been set for a number of different types of NSIP. If the proposed development is above those thresholds then a DCO will be required. The thresholds are set out in Table 4.1 below.

Sector: E = England W = Wales S = Scotland Note: Electricity generation for proposals >300MW have to demonstrate Carbon Capture Readiness

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London Thames Tideway site investigation

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Energy (continued)

Application to Conditions Thresholds

Other pipelines

(E/W/S)

The construction of a cross-country pipeline which would otherwise

require authorisation under s1(1) of the Pipelines Act 1962 with each

end in England or Wales or (if an oil or gas pipeline) with one end in

Scotland

None

Diversion of such a pipeline

Transport

Highway (E)

Construction or alteration of a highway for which the SoS will be

the highway authority, or of a highway constructed for a purpose

connected with SoS highway.

When development area for Motorways is greater than 15 hectares , for highways

with speed limit greater than 50mph where the development area is greater than

12.5 hectares, and for any other road where development area is greater than

7.5 hectares.

Highway (E)Improvement of a highway in respect of which the SoS is the

highway authority.Where there are likely to be significant environmental effects.

Airport (E)Construction, alteration (of runway, a building, radar, radio mast,

antenna or other apparatus) or increase in permitted use.

At least 10m passengers per year; or 10,000 air cargo movements per year (or increase

by that number).

Harbour (E/W) Construction or alteration.At least 500,000 TEU for container ships; 250,000 units for ro-ro ships, or 5m tonnes

for other cargo ships (all per year) or a proportionate combination of these.

Railway (E)Construction or alteration on approved operator’s network but

excluding a railway forming part of a rail freight interchange.

Over and above permitted development rights and greater than 2km in length. Only

applies to Network Rail currently.

Rail freight

interchange (E)

Construction or alteration on land which forms part of (or is

expected to form part of) the railway network but excluding an

interchange forming part of a military establishment.

At least 60ha; including warehouses; at least four goods trains per day; and handling

consignments from multiple consignors and consignees.

Water

Dam or reservoir (E) Construction or alteration by water undertaker Exceeding 10m m³ water held back or stored (or increase by that number)

Transfer of water

resources (E)

Transfer by water undertakers between river basins; between

water undertakers’ areas; and between river basins and water

undertakers’ areas but excluding the transfer of drinking water

Exceeding 100m m³ water per year

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Application to Conditions Thresholds

Waste Water

Waste water

treatment plant (E)Construction or alteration by water undertaker Exceeding 10m³ water held back or stored (or increase by that number)

Waste

Hazardous Waste

Facility (E)Construction or alteration for final disposal or recovery

Disposal by landfill or in deep storage – more than 100,000 tonnes per year (or

increase by that number) Otherwise – more than 30,000 tonnes per year (or increase

by that number)

Any of the above

Any of the above,

falling below the

thresholds indicated

(E)

Where the SoS believes that the development, when considered

with one or more other projects or proposed projects, is of

‘national significance’. In the field of energy includes projects

within the REZ (except where Scottish ministers have functions)

Not applicable

Business and commercial projects of national significance

Business and commercial projects

Development can

be authorised via

a Development

Consent Order if the

Secretary of State

gives a direction to

that end

Business and commercial projects need to include one or more of

the following: Office use, Research and development of products or

processes, An industrial process or processes, Storage or distribution

of goods, Conferences, Exhibitions, Sport, Leisure and Tourism

If the Secretary of State thinks that the project is of national significance, either by

itself or when considered with one or more other projects or proposed projects in the

same field

Any other type of project which the Secretary of State may by Order designate

Any other type of

project which the

SoS may by order

designate (E)

In the fields of energy, transport, water, waste water or waste In

the field of energy includes projects within the REZ (except where

Scottish Ministers have functions)

Includes business and commercial projects of national significance.

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5. Application Process

The application process for development consent follows a series of procedures as set out below and in the flowchart at Figure 5.1:

• Pre-inquiry meeting establishing whether the project meets qualifying criteria and provides advice for the consultation and information required for the application;

• At the pre-application stage developers are required to undertake consultation with the relevant local authorities, local communities and other stakeholders and to conduct environmental assessments, if required by EIA regulations;

• Major applications examined by panel of Inspectors, where written representations are considered and a decision reached;

• Hold a hearing (if requested by at least one interested party) to consider oral representations;

• Hold a public open-floor hearing for interested parties (if requested by at least one interested party) to make oral representations;

• The Examining Authority will decide how the hearing is conducted. Hearings can be one of three types:

• On specific issues, if the examining authority considers a hearing of this kind would assist the examination process. More than one may potentially be held at the same time where appropriate, when the Examining Authority is a panel;

• On compulsory acquisition matters, if one is requested by an affected party (i.e. whose land or land interests are proposed

to be acquired) when responding to the notification by the applicant about the accepted application and confirmed through the procedural meeting; or

• Of an ‘open-floor’ format. Interested parties have a right to be heard at an ‘open-floor’ hearing if they request one in response to the applicant’s notice of acceptance of the application and this is confirmed through the procedural meeting. This gives people the opportunity to explain their views to the Examining Authority in person, for example to emphasise or develop points made in writing.

• The Examining Authority can appoint a legal advocate to provide advice, which may include the conducting of oral questioning at hearings, but if questioning is allowed it should be done by an Inspector, unless the Inspector thinks questioning by another person is necessary and the Inspector can refuse to allow representations;

• Interested Parties can make written representations even if they requested to make oral representations;

• Examinations of the application should be completed in 6 months. A recommendation to the Secretary of State will be issued within 3 months. The Secretary of State has a further 3 months to make a decision.

• The granting of “development consent” gives the necessary authorisation for development without the requirement for additional consent; and,

• Decisions on development consent are subject to judicial review, however there is a 6 week limit on taking this action.

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Figure 5.1 – NISP Process Flowchart Source: CLG (2009)

‘Nationally Significant

Infrastructure’ Proposed

Draft National Policy Statement

Parliamentary Scrutiny

Sustainability Appraisal

Public Consultation

Open-Floor Hearing

Specific-Issue Hearing

Local Consultation National

Infrastructure Directorate

Secretary of State

Final National Policy Statement

Figure 5.2 on the following page sets out the stages of determination and the application process as a whole. It is worth noting that, once the applicant has got a scheme in mind, statutory pre-application local consultation can take 18 months or more. However, the principle of the NSIP development should have been set out via the NPSs and thus not subject to further discussion. This is considered to be the driver for this change.

Difficulties in the determination of NSIPs (such as Heathrow Terminal 5) have been exemplified by over-long public inquiries. One factor causing this has been a lack of clarity over strategic issues of national policy and need. The determination of NSIPs will not now be subject to delay around discussion related to the principle of the development; rather the determination should focus on the local effects of the proposed development.

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Figure 5.2 – Process and Consultations Determination Matrix

Applicant to publicise application

Examining authority to host

meeting

Applicant takes account of

responses to consultation

Applicant publishes proposed application

PINS to appoint Inspector(s)

Legal challenge?

Examining authority to decide to hold

hearing or by written representation

Referral of report to the

Secretary of State

Applicant carries out statutory consultation

Applicant to give notice of accepted

application and notify of deadline for

responses

Examining authority to inform interested

parties of when examination complete

Secretary of State publishes statement

to allow order or refuse consent

Examining authority to make

initial assessment of issues

Applicant prepares consultation statement, agrees statement with

LA and publishes in local paper

Applicant submitted and NID reject / accept

application and consider adequacy of

representations

Examining authority to decide how to decide

application

Examining authority under duty to consider

within 6 months

Secretary of State to decide within 3 months

following examining authority’s report

Pre-application procedure

Application submission

Examination of application

Complete examination Decision

Examining authority to make

initial assessment of issues

PINS complete examination report

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Nuclear Power National Policy StatementsAtkins provided advice and assistance to the Department of Energy and Climate Change in respect of production of National Policy Statement (NPS) to guide new nuclear development, including designing the Site Specific Assessment (SSA) framework against which new nuclear sites will be assessed, providing technical support and analysis of a public consultation process on these criteria, and providing technical support to the assessment of industry nominated nuclear sites by Government and regulators. As the SSA for the NPS only looked at nominated sites the Secretary of State needed to conduct an independent screening exercise looking at potential alternative sites throughout England and Wales. Atkins was chosen to do this because of the very broad range of skills required.

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5 Consultation and PublicityAt the pre-application stage, first there is a duty on the promoter to notify PINS about the proposed application and provide it with copies of consultation material it intends to use. The promoter must also consult on the proposed application with:

1. A range of specified bodies, as set out in the applications regulations;

2. The local authorities affected which includes those in which the proposal lies and adjoining ones; and

3. Any party with an interest in the land.

The deadline for responses to this consultation is at least 28 days from receipt of consultation documents.

The promoter must also publicise the proposal as required by the regulations, in the press and relevant journals.

Community Consultation

In addition, the promoter must consult the local community on the basis of an agreed set of consultation proposals, to be explained in a statement of community consultation (SOCC). In preparing the SOCC, the promoter must consult with the local authority, or authorities, within which the site of the development is located, to ensure that it is drawn up with the benefit of their local knowledge of the area. They will be sent details of the proposal and the promoter’s ideas for community consultation and must respond with their views on the Figure 5.3 – Timescales – Previous versus DCO

Comparison of average time from application to decision

Pre Examination Phase Examination Phase Report Stage PINS Decision Stage Ministerial Decision

0 20 40 60

Weeks

80 90 120

Previous Regime

DCO Regime

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Pre Examination Phase Examination Phase Report Stage PINS Decision Stage Ministerial Decision

consultation proposals within 28 days. Having had regard to the local authorities’ views, the promoter must finalise the SOCC and publish it in the area. The promoter is under a duty to undertake this consultation and to take account of relevant responses in finalising the application.

The “front loading” of the consultation process at the pre-application stage is intended to reduce the time taken during the determination period, thus the indicative time period to determine an application is substantially reduced from the current average for determination of applications for large infrastructure, as Figure 5.3 (left) demonstrates.

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6. Development Consent Orders

When the Secretary of State decides an application for a NSIP, they will either make what is known as an order granting development consent, or refuse development consent. The order granting development consent is an approval, introduced by the 2008 Act. Importantly, it can include a range of separate consents that would previously have had to be obtained under separate strands of legislation and from different authorities, including for example, planning permission, authorisation for compulsory acquisition and approvals under various parts of the Pipelines, Gas, Energy and listed buildings acts. This single consent regime is intended to simplify and speed-up the process of bringing forward large infrastructure projects.

The DCO can take the place of (i.e. remove the need and ability to apply for) a raft of consents including planning permission; listed building consent; conservation area consent; scheduled monument consent; pipeline authorisation under section 1(1) of the Pipelines Act 1962; authorisation under section 4(1) of the Gas Act 1965; notice under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976; and consents under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, in each case in respect of any project which falls within the definition of an NSIP.

In addition, a DCO will take the place of the following in respect of an NSIP: some Highways Act Orders, Harbour Revision Orders and Harbour Empowerment Orders, Transport and Works Act Orders, and orders

under section 4(1) of the Gas Act 1965 where the relevant thresholds are exceeded. In respect of certain other requirements (e.g. for consent under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 or for a licence under Part 2 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985), a DCO can deem the grant of consents and licences.

As a general principle, the Act requires the Secretary of State to decide an application in accordance with the relevant NPS except in certain circumstances, namely:

• Breach of international obligations;

• Breach of any duty imposed on the PINS by any law;

• Contravention of a law;

• The decision-maker being satisfied that the adverse affects of the proposal would outweigh its benefits.

The Act requires the examination of the application to be completed within six months of the procedural meeting and the Examining Authority, has three months from the end of the examination to provide its report and recommendation to the Secretary of State, who then has a further three months to make the decision. However, the time periods for the examining authority examining and reporting on an application can be extended, but the reasons for doing so must be explained to the Secretary of State.

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The application fees for NSIPs are substantial, with typical fees ranging from £96,000 to around £400,000, the final amount payable dependent on the number of Inspectors involved in the decision making. The Government has justified the higher fees on the basis that the DCO regime offers advantages such as more certainty over the duration of the application stage, a shorter and more efficient examination stage, and quicker decisions.

Changes to DCOs

Changes to schemes authorised by Development Consent Orders are possible. Changes within the scope of the DCO are by far the quickest and simplest method of seeking approval for a change to the scheme. These types of changes will be limited in scope but the first port of call for the designer to consider. Following the granting of the DCO a list of Requirements (conditions) will be available alongside an obligations document (S106 Agreement). Careful crafting will ensure these requirements leave some flexibility in the scheme. For example, a requirement that seeks the external appearance of a building or a structure to be submitted to and approved by a local authority should mean amendments could be made as designs progresses to cladding materials; location of plant and machinery; location and design of lighting and other street furniture; and positioning of windows

and doors. Other carefully crafted requirements could allow for amendments to access arrangements, hours of working or noise levels. All these are on the assumption that flexibility within the ES and DCO has been built in.

For more substantive changes, the extent of the changes has to be considered against the level of flexibility the limits of the development consent order allowed, and the extent of the Environmental Impact Assessment which accompanied the application for the DCO. The changes which can be made fall into two categories – “non-material” and “material”. A change is likely to be a material change if it has increased or additional environmental effects requiring an updated environmental statement, if it involves the compulsory purchase of additional land, or affects an ecological Special Protection Area or a Special Area of Conservation protected ecological site. The boundary between a material change and making a new application is not defined but a new application would be needed if the scheme is essentially different to what was approved.

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Our DCO project experience

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A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon bypassAtkins was instructed to advise the Highways Agency on the programme and requirements for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for this stretch of high profile trunk road. Our role involved preparing the initial planning and environmental assessments and coordinating informal consultation. We were responsible for the programme for the proposed DCO, coordinating input into a complex programme requiring inputs from highway engineer, transport engineers, environmental and tolling experts, including ensuring that the Highway Agency’s internal procedures dovetailed with the DCO requirements.

Atkins is also undertaking the detailed design of the A14 scheme. We are advising the design teams of the DCO requirements, and the limits placed on the project by the DCO. We are also providing advice and guidance as to the extent to which changes to the design could be undertaken, and the likelihood of the design changes being deemed non-material or material amendments.

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Hinkley Point C Nuclear New BuildTo assist EDF Energy in securing a Development Consent Order for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point we managed the delivery of the technical information required for submission to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (now the Planning Inspectorate). We also managed the Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) set up with the local authorities to programme and finance the consents process.

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East Thurrock ConnectionWe were commissioned by National Grid to provide planning and environmental services for the East Thurrock Connection Project. National Grid were promoting a new substation to facilitate the connection of a combined cycle gas turbine plant to the existing transmission system.

The commission initially involved undertaking a Substation Siting and Routeing Study to define possible substation locations and subsequent alignments for connections to the existing 400kV OHL, taking environmental constraints into account. A Scoping Report was undertaken in accordance with The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 2009 (the EIA Regulations) and an EIA was prepared to support the Development Consent Order (DCO) application to be submitted by National Grid.

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Humber Renewables ProjectDONG Energy was seeking to develop a biomass-fired power plant of approximately 299 MW generation rated capacity at a site in Hull Docks. The plant was to be sufficient to generate enough electricity to meet the average needs of up to half a million homes and would help the UK to meet its target of generating 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. We were commissioned to produce the Environmental Scoping Report and then the Environmental Statement presenting the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the power plant, undertaken within the framework of the Infrastructure Planning (EIA) Regulations 2009. This was part of the submission for a Development Consent Order.

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London Thames Tideway TunnelWe provided a range of planning and environmental services to support Thames Water in securing a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Tideway Tunnel. Once implemented the Tunnel will upgrade the sewerage system and substantially reduce the volume and frequency of discharges of storm sewage to the tidal River Thames. We managed the central London section town planning work and contributed to preparation of documents for the largest ever DCO submission.

We also provided expert witness support for the hearings, including in respect of heritage aspects and for open space re-provision. Atkins is continuing to provide consent and environmental support for various aspects of the project as it moves into its implementation phase.

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Norton BridgeAs an equal member of the Staffordshire Alliance, the UK’s first pure Alliance comprising Atkins, Laing O’Rouke, Network Rail and VolkerRail, Atkins have been involved in taking the project through the DCO process. The project is currently in construction and when complete will comprise 6.8 kilometres of new railways, including new cuttings and embankments, the construction or widening of bridges and diversions of watercourses and highways. The Alliance was formed after submission of the DCO application, but has taken the project through the examination process, responding to and working with consultees to draft the DCO statements of common ground. This has included a landscaping design brief and habitat loss and integration plans, which have been conditionally written into the DCO, along with a number of other environmental management plans. Atkins environmental specialists and coordinators also attended and represented the Alliance at examination and continue to be involved in the project through the construction phase, liaising with statutory consultees and ensuring the project is delivered in line with the DCO requirements.

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Redditch Branch EnhancementsWe provided a collaborative team of designers and environmental specialists to support Network Rail in securing a Development Consent Order for the Redditch Branch Enhancements project. The project resulted in a new 3km passing loop between Alvechurch and Redditch, enabling an extension of the Cross City services between Longbridge and Redditch from two to three trains an hour. The project achieved CEEQUAL Excellent status.

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Silvertown TunnelThe proposed Silvertown Tunnel is a new twin-bore, dual carriageway road tunnel beneath the River Thames, promoted by Transport for London and linking the A102 on the Greenwich Peninsula to the Tidal Basin Roundabout in the Royal Docks area. The proposed crossing has two separate tunnels, each carrying two traffic lanes. One lane in each tunnel would be reserved for buses, coaches and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The new tunnel would be accessible to the tall HGVs and double deck buses which are currently unable to use the northbound bore of the Blackwall Tunnel. Atkins are the engineering consultant responsible for developing the Reference Design, consultation material (including visualisations and drive through video) and providing technical support through the DCO process. Atkins have also provided high level advice on the requirements for a DCO application including sharing lessons learnt from past experience on other similar schemes.

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Paramount Entertainment ResortLondon Paramount will be the first of its kind in the UK. The entertainment resort will include a world-class theme park, a 1,500-seat theatre, indoor event space, 5,000 on-site hotel bedrooms, one of the largest indoor water parks in Europe, creative business space to provide a central hub for the UK creative industry, transport improvements including a new dual carriageway access road between the A2 and the entertainment Resort, a green network to include areas of environmental enhancement and wildlife habitat creation beside the River Thames, connectivity improvements including public footpaths and cycle routes along the River Thames and enhancements to the existing jetty on the river to facilitate access by boat. To support this key commercial development DCO, Atkins has provided services including geotechnical, land contamination and groundwater assessment, stakeholder engagement, concept infrastructure design, and support from specialists for the DCO.

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Meaford Energy Centre On behalf of Meaford Energy Limited, a joint venture between Glenfinnan and St. Modwen, Atkins is the lead environmental and design consultant taking a 299MWe CCGT power station and integral gas and electric connections in Staffordshire through the DCO process. The DCO application including the Environmental Statement, was accepted by PINS in April 2015 and Atkins played a lead role in taking the project through the pre-examination and examination stages. The DCO application contained ancillary proposals which include a new gas supply pipeline across an existing bridge across the Trent and Mersey Canal.

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How can Atkins help?

The DCO regime for development of major infrastructure projects now applies to many major infrastructure projects, with the definition of NSIPs encompassing all types of energy development, transport infrastructure, including roads, railways, aviation and ports, water supply and waste, and extending to include major business and commercial developments. These are all major infrastructure sectors that Atkins has extensive experience in.

Atkins is at the forefront of the DCO regime for NSIPs, having helped a government department to draft one of the National Policy Statements (NPSs) and undertaking supporting studies, and having been involved in more than 10 DCO projects so far.

Atkins can demonstrate an excellent understanding of the implications of the DCO planning regime NSIPs on a wide range of new projects. As well as the traditional town planning, consenting and environmental assessment capability Atkins can assist developers with the “front loading” of the consultation work, providing information to local communities, planning authorities and other bodies.

Atkins can offer an opportunity to build on existing experience working with local communities and central government to provide developers

and promoters with our services to successfully communicate the impacts and implications of large schemes to local communities.

Atkins can also assist and support local authorities and statutory consultees understand the implications of the proposals and how they might influence the decision making process.

Atkins can offer a variety of consultancy services related to NSIPs, including town planning, design, project management and environmental assessment, all key component in preparing a DCO application for submission.

For more information please contact:

Jon Barker 020 7121 2363 jon.barker@atkinsglobal.com

Andrew Jones 01454 662963 andrew.jones@atkinsglobal.com

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Paul WhiteDirector, Environmental Planning Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road, London NW1 3AT

Telephone +44 (0) 20 7121 2144Mobile +44 (0) 7710 09 0435Fax +44 (0) 20 7121 2806Email paul.white@atkinsglobal.com

www.atkinsglobal.com

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